York Valkyrie became the first side in Women’s Super League history to win back-to-back league titles after emerging through a thrilling Grand Final to deny St Helens an historic treble.
The WSL’s best two sides met in an absorbing showpiece, with history on the line for both sides. Matty Smith’s Saints were looking to complete a clean sweep having already won the Challenge Cup and the League Leader’s Shield in 2024. However, they were ultimately beaten on their own turf here by an outstanding effort against the odds from the Valkyrie in front of a record WSL crowd.
York were without two of their biggest stars, with England internationals Tara-Jane Stanley and Sinead Peach forced to watch from the stands for two very different reasons; Stanley will undergo knee surgery next week, while Peach is pregnant and expected to give birth in the coming weeks. However, the Valkyrie, despite those key absentees, were magnificent.
Having already won away from home at Leeds in the semi-final, York were once again outstanding when it mattered most to become the first team in the history of the Women’s Super League to defend their title. Tries from Lacey Owen, Eboni Partington and Kelsey Gentles were enough to see off an error-strewn Saints, who reserved one of their worst displays of 2024 for the final.
The hosts took the lead early on courtesy of a wonderful solo finish from the competition’s top try-scorer, Leah Burke. But York responded through Owen after an error from Beri Salihi gave the forward the chance to strike. However, two goals from the retiring Faye Gaskin as half-time approached nudged the Saints back into a slender two-point lead.
But York were much the stronger of the two sides in the second half. They struck a decisive blow shortly after the restart when former Saints star Partington restored the Valkyrie’s advantage and this time, Smith’s side had no answer.
York were in complete control throughout a dominant final quarter and any time the Saints did have a half-chance, either an unforced error or inspired Valkyrie defence kept them at bay. Gentles’ try, a superb effort from close-range despite the efforts of four St Helens defenders, opened up a two-score lead and that proved to be more than enough to ensure York would be crowned champions once again.
